Research

Get Organized!

• Plan ahead. >

Choosing a Topic is the first step in the research process. It is itself a process. Here are the steps:

• Choose an area of interest for research
• Ask questions that help explore and evaluate a topic.. Start with the "Newspaper Questions" --Who? What? When? Where? How? and Why?
• Begin to Focus your topic. Do a KWL or a Mind Map to explore the facets of your topic.
• Create a preliminary research question. This must be a "higher order" question.
• Revise and Refine your question.

Gather Information

• Choose the Right Sources
• Locate the Sources
• Evaluate the Sources
• Finding Images for your Project

Use the Information

• Locate information within the source
• Take notes.
• Avoid Plagiarism
• Summarizing, Paraphrasing, and Quoting
• Document your sources
• Create an outline

Take time to reflect...

on your process and the product you produced
Are you satisfied with your efforts and outcome? If not, be sure to review this process thoroughly before your next assignment. Make an appointment with your schooll Librarian as soon as you receive your assignment to make sure that you get off on the right track next time.